Correlation between vital signs and hemoperitoneum in ruptured ectopic pregnancy

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Published Nov 23, 2012
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Vol. 90 No. 11 (2012): Issue Nov 2012

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Nabil Mathlouthi
IKbal Ghodbane
Olfa Slimani
Riadh Ben Temime
Service de gynécologie hôpital Charles Nicolle Tunis
Tahar Makhlouf
Leila Attia
Abdellatif Chechia

Abstract

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a medical-surgical emergency. Rupture of an ectopic pregnancy is a serious complication and may develop severe life-threatening to the patient.
Aim: To determine correlation between vital signs and hemoperitoneum in ruptured ectopic pregnancy and the association between abnormal vital signs and tubal rupture.
Methods: Via a retrospective study we have considered a sample of 32 patients of ruptured ectopic pregnancy. All patients were diagnosed at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit Aat Charles Nicole Hospital, Tunisia.
Results: Mean minimum systolic (SBP) 109 mmHg (range 70-150), mean maximum (HR) 81.5 beats/min (range 70-140). Mean volume of hemoperitoneum 693.75 mL (range 100 -2000 mL).Correlation between vital signs and volume of hemoperitoneum was poor (R 2 = 0.279 for HR, R 2= 0.267 for SBP). Hypotension was associated with blood loss of at least 1280 ml. Association of tachycardia with hypotension was observed in only 2 cases.Correlation between HR and SBP was not significant and poor (p=0.23, R 2= 0.05)
Conclusion: Normal vital signs alone are poor predictors of ruptured ectopic pregnancy and do not correlate well with volumes of hemoperitonieum.

Keywords:

Ectopic pregnancy, tubal rupture, vital signs, Heart rate, Blood pressure, Hemoperitonieum.

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